Geek Book - Jeff Is Published

Jeff is a published author! Technically, he has been published in software magazines several times over the last few years. This is his first book. Well, let me clarify. Some computer geek put together select articles from "The Software Quality Professional" magazine over the last 5 years and, "Ta-da!" -- a book. Jeff's chapter is entitled "Software Measurement Using SCM." Doesn't that sound like a page turner? I asked him if he would get a free copy and apparently he won't. We could buy it for $60, but who would read it? Anyway, I'm proud of him even though I would have no clue if I read any part of that book. Stay tuned for his first solo published book, "My Life as the Punniest Guy on the Planet."

Lupe the Jumping Bass

Had to post this beautiful watercolor done by Katherine in the last couple weeks. She is entering the "Wildlife Forever State Fish Art Contest." Did not know the state fish was the Guadalupe Bass. The prize winner from Texas receives a trip to the Mall of America in Minnesota. That could be fun. The final prize winner will have their art on a postage stamp. OK, that could be cool. Entries must be postmarked by March 31. We'll keep you posted.

An Egg-cellent Time

Barb hosted the Holmes girls for an afternoon of egg dying. I am one to just drop the egg in the dye, leave it for a bit, and then scoop it out and on to the next... My girls and Barb were much more creative than that. We had some very artistic eggs. I enjoyed glittering the eggs, which was something different that came with the package of dyes. After we finished, we loaded up the eggs and went to our house for a few pictures. You'll have to check Barb's blog for pictures with our little unruly rabbit. (No rush on that, Barb.) Katherine's blog has some of the more creative eggs.

Botanic Gardens Beauties

Yesterday the beautiful weather called out to us to spend some time outdoors enjoying God's creation. Katherine asked to go to the Botanic Gardens to spend some time photographing things she could paint for art class. I don't think I've ever seen the Gardens so crowded. I guess we normally go during the week when all the working people aren't there. We like it better that way, but we still enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and early spring flowers.





One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong...



That Katherine....such a non-conformist!

Backyard Demolition

Jeff has the work crew going again, this time above ground. He decided to dismantle the old deck near the house. It has really seen better days. He is going to use the boards to create a new cover for the bomb shelter. And, in the area left behind? Well, not really sure at this point. Rebecca and I thought a garden sounded nice. Mmm...I'm already picturing the rows of red, ripe tomatoes. One day soon, when we come into a windfall of money (it could happen), Jeff wants to build a combination studio/pool house. For now it just looks like a war zone. By the way, I got out and gave the old deck a few hits myself. (when I wasn't recording the event for posterity)

Work crew of two

Well, we see who's working and who's not...

This girl can sure swing a sledgehammer!
Way to go, Becca.

Just a note to Katherine and Abigail..."If a man will not work, he shall not eat." That's in the Bible, if you want to look it up.

Two of My Children are Certifiable

Crazy, I tell you!  They're crazy!  I don't know what it is about a sunny day and an open pool.  They just have to get in, no matter what the water temperature.  Jeff said his best guess was around 60 degrees.  It felt much colder than that when I put my hand in.  Of course, who am I to know?  I don't put a toe in until it's at least 82 degrees.  Let's just say I couldn't believe they begged to stay in for 30 minutes.  Crazy, I tell you!  Crazy!!! 

Miss Cautious...Do I want to get in or not?

Might as well just jump!  Why sit on the edge and think about it?

"It's freezing, Mom!"  Duh.

So, Abigail, is that shirt helping to keep you warm?

Because that's why you kept it on.  Yeah...

A Little Funny

Weekend Trip

Saturday morning found us "on the road again" traveling to Buna to see family. We arrived in the afternoon and spent a few hours with Jeff's parents. Katherine enjoyed walking around their house outside and using her new camera. I took a few pics myself of the beautiful flowers. Spring comes to East Texas a little earlier than North Texas and we enjoyed the many blooming azaleas, camellias and dogwood trees. My dad even had a little patch of bluebonnets already blooming in his yard.

Saturday night found us helping my dad clean out my great aunt's house so my brother would be able to move into it soon. We were allowed to choose anything from the house that we wanted, so I came home with several beautiful Japanese handpainted plates and a set of silver, some old photographs and itchy ears/nose from all the dust!

Sunday morning we attended church with the Holmes' where the girls participated in waving the palms for Palm Sunday. Katherine and Abigail played a piano duet for the offertory. They suffered graciously all the comments about "how big you've gotten" and "how pretty you are." Jeff and I were able to introduce them to our sixth grade science teacher, Mr. Hunt, who told them that I was "a whiz in Science." See? I was smart once.

Sunday afternoon Jeff and I left the girls with the Holmes' and went to Beaumont for a night away. We went to dinner at Pappadeaux's with my dad and stepmom and enjoyed a nice evening with great seafood. Yum! We slept in Monday morning (loved that) and had a late breakfast before returning to Buna to pick up the girls. Everyone was ready to go, except for Papa who would have loved us to stay another few days. Always glad to get home, with the exception of all the laundry that must be done. And, I better get back to it. For more Southeast Texas pics, see Katherine's post There's No Place Like Home.

Circus Peanuts...I Don't Get It

Orange candy, shaped like a peanut, that tastes like a banana. Oooooo-kkaaayyyy. Orange-colored, fake-flavored styrofoam if you ask me. And, you didn't, but that's o.k. Jeff and Rebecca were singing the praises of circus peanuts tonight, which prompted me to write this post. I cannot stand circus peanuts. They're so...so...orange! And chewy...and orange! Jeff and Rebecca were reflecting on the "freshness" of a particular bag they had eaten this evening. Even that's not enough to reel me in.

I did a little research on these rather interesting looking candies and discovered they were invented in the 1800's. Orange is the most popular color (why?) and the flavor is artificial banana. (No wonder I don't like them. Worst artificial flavor ever -- banana.) In 1963, a VP at General Mills put shavings of circus peanuts on his breakfast cereal. (ugh) This led to the creation of Lucky Charms cereal. Who knew? I even found a website that had discussions of which marshmallow candies were the best: circus peanuts or peeps! So, let me hear from you about your favorite gooey, marshmallow treat. I vote for Peeps! (And Easter is just around the corner.)

Oh Snow!

Guess it's a good thing I'm not a weatherman. I was positive that winter was past us and spring was almost here. Unfortunately there wasn't enough ice on the roads to keep the girls from school today. Rebecca was NOT happy when I woke her up this morning. She had visions of running through fields of snow today.

Along those lines, I'm removing my tulips and my beautiful spring blog colors. I'm just not in the mood anymore...

Consider the Koala

Abigail has been studying Australia for the last couple weeks.  I have given her an assignment to design a poster with things she found most interesting about that country.  She found the koala fascinating.  For instance...

Out of a 24 hour period, the koala spends his time this way.

~ approx. 14.5 hours sleeping

~ approx. 4.5 hours eating

~ approx. 4.5 hours resting, but awake

~ approx. 4 minutes traveling

When Abigail shared this information with Rebecca, Rebecca said, "If Katherine were an animal, she would be a koala."

Well. O-kay.  (grin)

Signs of Spring

I was well enough to venture outside today for a little while. It was so breezy and beautiful that I couldn't help but get excited that spring is on the way. Since I've been inside the last few days I hadn't noticed all the "life" going on outside my window. Of course I had to get my camera. Underneath all those dead leaves and dry limbs, there is beauty just waiting to burst open. Grandmother Willow is a perfect example. Last week she was a bunch of spindly stems, waving in the breeze. This week fresh, green shoots are everywhere.

Carolina Jasmine....so beautiful...one of the first things to "pop" when spring is arriving. It smells so good and it's a shame that it doesn't last very long.


King always gets very woolly-looking this time of year. His winter coat is getting ready to shed, for his lighter, summer hair.









The pool cover comes off and we add water. King and Abigail enjoyed a visit by the pool last weekend.



The redbuds will be in full bloom before the next week is over. Love that color. (And the tiny spider web in the corner.)





Fresh, pink-tipped leaves on the rose bush.


"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain